Chapter 375

"That's right, that's certainly true."

Therefore, isolationism is no longer an option; we need to stabilize the country first. This problem arose under my rule, and I will reflect on it and adjust my procedures accordingly. For the next period, you will need to personally handle the chaos in Inazuma.

"Yes, that's my responsibility too."

At night, Raiden Ei read the Inazuma investigation documents that Ayato Kamisato Ayato had urgently sent, while conversing with the general deep within his consciousness.

Raiden Ei has locked himself inside the General, while the General, adhering to eternal ideals, has also secluded himself in the Tenshukaku. Both of them bear responsibility for the current chaos in Inazuma. Therefore, the General needs to reflect on himself and correct the governing process, while Raiden Ei needs to personally clean up this mess.

When Electro Archon began to set foot on Earth, Inazuma's problem was actually quite easy to solve.

The "God's Death in Inazuma" thing is just for sensationalism, designed to provoke Raiden Ei. In reality, centuries of rule and belief have cemented the god's unshakeable position. Whatever the Electro Archon wants to do, there's no resistance whatsoever in Inazuma.

She can close the country off if she wants to. She can mobilize the entire country if she wants to govern it.

In just one day, the leadership structure of the Three Commissions has undergone drastic changes, and the fleet that is procuring food has begun to assemble and will soon be able to sail to Liyue and Mondstadt.

As Raiden Ei looked at the reports, he felt a surge of anger that had nowhere to go, while also glancing at the wall beside him—the direction where Kaguya lay asleep.

[Internally, can we confirm that she is Baal?]

"I'm not sure. The Yae Miko has already consulted the ancient texts, searching for any possible clues. She's also arranged for people to investigate her background. If everything we find in the end points to the Yae Miko's speculation..."

Despite the severe shortage of manpower in Inazuma, Raiden Ei and Yae Miko still arranged a team specifically to investigate everything about Kaguya. In a country with gods, the gods are the foundation of the nation, and this is indeed true.

Raiden Ei clenched his fists nervously, then heard the general say:

[If that's the case internally, then my logic will contain an irreconcilable contradiction.]

"Um?"

Baal is the original Electro Archon, and you and I are his shadow warriors. Theoretically, Baal holds supreme power, deciding the future of Inazuma's subjects. However, in my logic, this body should be the most sublime and noble in the mortal realm, granting its subjects an eternal dream. Baal and eternity— Inazuma cannot have two futures; you can only choose one: either deny Baal or deny me.

"... It's not time for that yet. You should go into seclusion and reflect on your actions first."

Raiden Ei closed his eyes wearily, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Sister and eternity—she is uncertain about everything now and cannot sort out the countless confusions before her.

So, let's deal with Inazuma first. At the very least, the kingdom my sister left behind shouldn't be in such a miserable state of misery.

While Raiden Ei was having a conversation with another version of himself, Kaguya was also having a conversation with another version of herself.

[This is troublesome. From Raiden Makoto's memories, we discovered two mysterious concepts. Istaroth, the ruler of time, the omnipresent Eternal Great God, wielding Thousand Winds and the sun and moon. And the World Tree, the place where Ley Line converge, the repository of all information and wisdom.]

This left the Anqi speechless.

Teyvat is a small place with a complex composition.

Time is a very advanced concept in the Honkai world. So advanced that even Otto could only travel back in time and interfere with the past through the Imaginary Tree.

How come there are two beings capable of interfering with time in the Teyvat world so easily?

Is this world a fake?

But precisely because of this, this place is incredibly valuable to us. I'm increasingly looking forward to uncovering countless amazing knowledge and resources once we've taken control of this world.

So, how can we avoid the influence of Istaroth and the World Tree on our identity?

The Anqi all frowned.

Anqi didn't want to confront the Heavenly Principles head-on, because that would only destroy the world and leave her with nothing to gain.

Since we're not going to confront them head-on, but instead developing and exploring in secret, the current three clones are definitely not enough, and we'll inevitably have to add more clones in the future.

Therefore, the Time God of Teyvat and the All-Knowing Tree of Teyvat are inescapable hidden dangers.

Based on the information we currently have, Istaroth is the Primordial Shadow, in other words, a part of the Heavenly Principles... I don't believe she has the ability to see our future, nor could she possibly see through the essence and power of the Thousand-Person Ruler.

It's a very simple principle. If even Istaroth could achieve this, Heavenly Principles strength shouldn't be that ordinary back then, Anqi wouldn't be hiding in Teyvat causing trouble now.

In other words, as long as we avoid daily contact and communicate only using our Herrscher Authority, we can basically prevent her from spying on us.

Furthermore, Wendy must continue her research on Thousand Winds. This is also part of Istaroth's power, and a thorough understanding of it might allow for further countermeasures.

[As for the World Tree... the imprisoned Little Grass God... hmm...]

This is more complicated.

If it's something that records information about the world, then it might record everything that Anqi Faction did, or it might record nothing about Anqi Faction at all. But either way, it represents a flaw.

[You know, I'm just a newborn Thousand Winds Priest, completely unfamiliar with this world, and I can't even find Barbatos, who should theoretically be my superior. And then I stumble upon the Abyss Order trying to take down our Dragon of the East Wind ... For this, it's perfectly reasonable for me to seek help from the Seven Archons of Liyue, and maybe ask them some random questions, like about the World Tree. Is that reasonable?]

Yes, that makes perfect sense.

Speaking of the World Tree, I can't help but mention the chaotic state of Sumeru that I, with my Thousand Winds Power, can see. I have a feeling this tree might explode, and I'm quite panicked... For this reason, and with the kind greetings of the Geo Archon, I should pay a visit to the Little Grass God to see if she has accidentally learned any information she shouldn't know, and also to carefully inquire about and examine the World Tree. Isn't that reasonable?

[Yes, that makes sense. And while observing the tree, it would be even more reasonable to accidentally inflict some corrosive energy.]

[Okay~~]

The Anqi made a plan.

Wendy was sent to find out about the World Tree, and also to gauge the attitudes of the two gods, to see if there were any flaws in the current operations.

And Mondangel also suggested;

[Theoretically, Ley Line are the root system of the World Tree and are connected to it. If you really can't find the Grass God and the Tree, you can just throw your erosive power at any Ley Line node in Sumeru; you might be able to follow the trail and achieve your goal. Be careful to stay hidden; secrecy is paramount.]

The first draft of the strategy guide for World Tree was thus completed.

Kaguya has nothing to do with this. Her problem right now is that little girl who ran into the Tenshukaku crying all the way.